We had that dreaded caution during a green flag pit cycle tonight, but after everything “shook” out, the top two cars were back at the front and we had a solid 19 lapper to the checkers. And in the end, it was Jeff Gordon prevailing for the first time ever at Phoenix International Raceway. He took tonight’s Subway Fresh Fit 500 by .697 seconds over Tony Stewart (who led the most laps) for his first win of the year and the 76th of his NEXTEL Cup career. He’s now tied with Dale Earnhardt for 6th on the all-time win list. Gordon’s 18th win from the pole was also the 154th for Hendrick Motorsports, their 5th this season, and was worth $251,411 from the over $4.9M in posted awards. Hendrick has also taken all three C-O-T races, btw. Bobby Labonte (8th) had his best finish since he was 3rd at Martinsville last October. Johnny Sauter (9th) ties his career-best finish tonight. He was also 9th here in April of 2005. David Reutimann (32nd) had his best finish since he was 22nd at Lowe’s in October of 2005. STREAKIN….Jeff Gordon has 7 Top-10’s in the last 8 races. Matt Kenseth has 6 Top-10’s in the last 7 races. This Week’s Elevator….UP: Operator of the Week is a lonely Johnny Sauter (+33). DOWN: The Big Dropper was Scott Riggs (-38), followed by Dave Blaney (-28), Casey Mears (-24), Jamie McMurray (-21), and Kasey Kahne (-21). This is Riggs’ third time already this season at the bottom end of the “Shaft”…..which tells you why he’s up against it at qualifying time. The Top-5 in Driver Points remains unchanged this week…..but Jeff Gordon has lengthened his margin to 74 markers. Johnny Sauter (35th to 30th) made the best advance this week while David Stremme (12th to 18th) and Ryan Newman (20th to 26th) fell the most spots. Stremme also fell below the “Chase” line and Kevin Harvick advanced into the Top-12 to take his place. No changes in the Top-35 in Owner Points this week, but we’ve got a new bubble team. The #25 of Casey Mears is in by the skin of their teeth over the #21 of Ken Schrader (37 points). The #44 of Dale Jarrett is another 27 markers back in 37th.(Stock Car Fans)(4-21-2007)
